MZA Planning

MZA Planning is a Town Planning consultancy based in London, operating nationwide across the UK. The firm was established in 1997 by Yussuf Mwanza, who is also its Managing Director. MZA Planning became a limited liability company in February 1999. The consultancy is dedicated to providing creative solutions for householders, businesses, and developers navigating the planning system.

MZA Planning offers a comprehensive and personal planning service to both private and public sectors. The company's planning consultants secure planning permission for a wide array of developments. MZA Planning provides a range of services including planning applications, case reviews, planning appraisals, and pre-applications, which are treated as a detailed 'dry run' to gain local authority views. The firm also handles architectural drawings, certificates of lawfulness, planning appeals, objections, and planning enforcement cases.

MZA Planning utilises in-house architects for preparing planning drawings, or can collaborate with a client's existing architect. MZA Planning possesses over 30 years of experience within the planning industry. The firm's personnel have extensive experience working across various council planning departments, the Planning Inspectorate, and the private sector. This broad experience covers projects ranging from minor applications to major infrastructure developments.

Notable past projects include work on the Channel Tunnel Rail Link, the West London Tram, and the Reading Station redevelopment. The company's portfolio encompasses residential extensions, flat conversions, and a variety of commercial and sui generis developments such as restaurants and shisha lounges. MZA Planning is committed to delivering a focused and efficient service to its clients. The firm operates with a small, experienced team comprising individuals from diverse professional backgrounds, which contributes to a fresh approach to projects.

MZA Planning works in close collaboration with a multidisciplinary network of professional consultants, including highway consultants, architects, and noise specialists, to ensure all necessary expertise is available. The company's director, Yussuf Mwanza, holds a BA(Hons) and is a Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (MRTPI), a qualification shared by other members of the team. While MZA Planning's services extend across various sectors, the firm has demonstrated experience in residential developments that involve multi-occupancy living. This includes securing approvals for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), ranging from small-scale C4 properties for three to six people to larger-scale HMOs approved for approximately 20 individuals.

The company also has a track record in facilitating the conversion of properties into flats. This experience in navigating the planning complexities of residential schemes, particularly those involving multiple residents or units, positions MZA Planning with relevant expertise in the broader residential development landscape.